Armstrong looks to road ahead

PEDDLING IRON The US Postal rider posed with Arnold Schwarzenegger after an easy stage 11, but Armstrong will have to play the predator today to erase his closest rivals

AP , TOULOUSE, FRANCE

Lance Armstrong celebrates with Arnold Schwarzenegger on the podium of the eleventh stage of the Tour de France between Narbonne and Toulouse on Thursday. IBanesto team rider Juan Antonio Flecha of Spain won the stage and Armstrong retained the yellow jersey.

PHOTO: REUTERS

Lance Armstrong's struggle to dominate a surprisingly difficult Tour de France could hinge on beating the clock yesterday's individual time trial -- a decisive race on undulating terrain that tests riders to their limits.

The American cycling star may hold the overall lead in this year's Tour, but only by a razor-thin margin of 21 seconds that could be in danger if he is not on top of his game in the time trial.

Unlike in past years, his top rivals feel victory is within their grasp.

"The standings are very close," Armstrong, soaked in sweat, conceded in brief remarks to reporters.

No contender, including American Tyler Hamilton, competing with a double fracture of his right collarbone, bothered to mount a challenge Thursday on one of the Tour's least punishing stages.

Instead, they rode alongside Armstrong on the flatlands from Narbonne to Toulouse, always staying within the main pack and finishing in the same time.

Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is following part of the Tour, returned the leader's yellow jersey to Armstrong when he ascended the podium. Earlier in the day, the two posed for pictures outside the Postal team's bus.

Prior to Thursday's stage, Hamilton's entourage angrily denied speculation by fans and the French media that his collarbone fracture, sustained in a mass crash on July 6, was not as bad as team doctors made it out to be.